MOC Competitive Slate - when does the music stop to see who gets a chair?

[Gray Hoglet]

Hi all, first time poster! I was told by admissions I'm ranked #1 in the Congressional District by only a handful of WCS points. Do I have to wait until Jan 31st to see if anyone overtakes me with WCS points (assuming I continue to strengthen my file), why can't USMA just cut the appointment orders now? Thank you!

 

[A1Janitor]

You have to wait until you get an offer of appointment or a rejection, whenever they send it out.

I am surprised admissions would tell anyone that info.

 

[Gray Hoglet]

You have to wait until you get an offer of appointment or a rejection, whenever they send it out.

I am surprised admissions would tell anyone that info.

Thanks! Yes, I get that I have to wait until I get an appoint or reject. My question is can't they just send that early? Or does everyone in the competitive slate wait until after Jan 31 to find out?

 

[YoitsFly]

Yeah, how did you find your WCS? PM me if you don't want to share on the forum

 

[MidCakePa]

You’re assuming that all applications have been submitted. There might be some applicants out there who have yet to complete their package. You may — or may not — be surpassed. Not worth worrying about because it’s completely out of your control. Work on Plan B, C, D and so forth. You’ll be better for it.

 

[Gray Hoglet]

You’re assuming that all applications have been submitted. There might be some applicants out there who have yet to complete their package. You may — or may not — be surpassed. Not worth worrying about because it’s completely out of your control. Work on Plan B, C, D and so forth. You’ll be better for it.

Great advice, thank you

 

[MarTac]

Yes, don’t count those chickens yet! My DS was selected as the Principle Nominee in his Congressional district in late December but he did not finalize his application until mid-January. How? Because his MOC selected his “principle nominee” and ranked alternates. I assume your MOC just submits a slate to the Academy? Please remember that some MOCs can also submit “Principle Noms” with ranked or un-ranked alternates. It is pretty much up to the MOC how they want the nominees submitted and Admissions decides on the “winner” only when an un ranked slate is submitted. But, as others have said, candidates do have until Jan. 31st to finish applications so for Admissions to select a “winner” prior might be premature. Also, WCS does not take DoDMERB into account. A candidate might have a great WCS but end up medically disqualified and thus - no appointment offered.

 

[kinnem]

Thanks! Yes, I get that I have to wait until I get an appoint or reject. My question is can't they just send that early? Or does everyone in the competitive slate wait until after Jan 31 to find out?

The deadline for completing applications has to pass. Others may submit updates improving their score. That's at least one reason you have to wait.

 

[justdoit19]

Also, you have to be medically qualified. And a nomination. Not clear from your post if you have both of those taken care of yet, or not.

I’m also surprised that information was shared by USMA admissions. Especially since applications aren’t due for a while yet.

Keep working alternate plans!

 

[99Gold]

Yeah, how did you find your WCS? PM me if you don't want to share on the forum

Last cycle my son was told where he stood on our district by a USMA admissions officer at an admissions event in our town. At the time, he was 3rd in the district but was made team captain of his sports team the following week so WCS points went up. It was good information just to know where he stood but he didn't know about his nominations until mid-Jan. Without a nom, we knew that all the WCS points in the world wouldn't help.

 

[Gray Hoglet]

Last cycle my son was told where he stood on our district by a USMA admissions officer at an admissions event in our town. At the time, he was 3rd in the district but was made team captain of his sports team the following week so WCS points went up. It was good information just to know where he stood but he didn't know about his nominations until mid-Jan. Without a nom, we knew that all the WCS points in the world wouldn't help.

Did he end up going?

 

[99Gold]

Did he end up going?

He got an appointment but is at USAFA instead. It was a hard decision for him.

 

[Gray Hoglet]

He got an appointment but is at USAFA instead. It was a hard decision for him.

Wow, congrats to him, that's fantastic!

 

[USMAZoo98]

I appreciate your anxiety about getting an appointment. Just because you think they should go ahead and designate an appointment now, West Point will take all the time it wants and needs to decide on offering admission. Your position on the slate does not matter until the final slate has been submitted by your MOC to admissions. Then West Point will make its decisions based on how the MOC chose to classify his/her nominees (principle nom, ranked, etc.).

Probably good for you to learn that patience is a virtue that West Point and the Army will test to your limits.

 

[Gray Hoglet]

I appreciate your anxiety about getting an appointment. Just because you think they should go ahead and designate an appointment now, West Point will take all the time it wants and needs to decide on offering admission. Your position on the slate does not matter until the final slate has been submitted by your MOC to admissions. Then West Point will make its decisions based on how the MOC chose to classify his/her nominees (principle nom, ranked, etc.).

Probably good for you to learn that patience is a virtue that West Point and the Army will test to your limits.

Thank you for the advice. It's not impatience, however, it's a "does not compute" moment. If appointments are happening now and have been since August (just based on anecdotal evidence), those must be based on Noms other than MOC competitive slates? If everyone on a competitive MOC slate (an unranked list of nominees) has to sit and jockey for position for the next 2.5 months, I don't see how they can be offering a ton of appointments right now.

 

[MidCakePa]

If everyone on a competitive MOC slate (an unranked list of nominees) has to sit and jockey for position for the next 2.5 months, I don't see how they can be offering a ton of appointments right now.

And they’re not. In fact, the vast, vast majority of offers come out in February and March. That’s because MOC nom slates aren’t even due until January 31. Some candidates may be hearing about noms now. But the SAs have a lot of puzzle-building still to do, with many pieces still incoming.

So it’s just not worth the time or energy trying to figure it out. Focus on finishing Plan B, C, D and so on. Enjoy what’s left of senior year and spend quality time with family and friends. You’re learning to “hurry up and wait,” which is the military’s unofficial motto.

 

[Trainer]

Does anyone know if there may be a list ranking the most competitive MOC regions?

 

[A1Janitor]

Does anyone know if there may be a list ranking the most competitive MOC regions?

I don’t. …

I wouldn’t rely too much on this.

Every single district can be highly competitive with one great candidate. In any given year.

 

[justdoit19]

And they’re not. In fact, the vast, vast majority of offers come out in February and March. That’s because MOC nom slates aren’t even due until January 31. Some candidates may be hearing about noms now. But the SAs have a lot of puzzle-building still to do, with many pieces still incoming.

So it’s just not worth the time or energy trying to figure it out. Focus on finishing Plan B, C, D and so on. Enjoy what’s left of senior year and spend quality time with family and friends. You’re learning to “hurry up and wait,” which is the military’s unofficial motto.

Plus, everyone who is going to apply, hasn’t applied yet. IOW, the SA doesn’t even know the complete pool of candidates from which they can select from yet.

 

[kinnem]

Appointments that occur in this time frame are generally to LOA recipients who have a Presidential nom, not from a MOC slate.